We’re having Internet connection issues at Stanley this evening. It took a while for this update to get thru in one piece…

Tarkine Forest Adventures – Dismal Swamp visit today.

Tassie really do need to work on the naming of some of their tourist attractions. “Dismal Swamp”, really? Or perhaps the alternative name “sinkhole”? Isn’t that what cars & houses disappear into?

So, it’s at this point I’m thinking it’s time to call in the Mine Subsidence Board to sort all this out. In Newy you’d have all the emergency services lined up in fluoro vests, the whole area barricaded off & Maurie the Mole would be doin cartwheels.
“If you see a hole, don’t think you’re a mole. Walk in the opposite direction and report your detection”

But here in Tassie, what do they do?
Plant a few Blackwood, Sassafras & Myrtle trees (about 200 to 500 years ago) & then build a cafe at the top & a giant slippery dip all the way into the bottom of the sinkhole! Boardwalks galore!
Come on down!

Jayne at the Top with protective gear installed.

At speed, near the bottom

The whole area is an absolute stunning display of Tassie wild stuff.
We had a wonderful couple of hours wandering about the forest hugging trees & wondering at how it all just works together.

Tarkine Forest Adventures at Dismal Swamp is a 600 hectare Blackwood ‘polje’ (pol-ya), a special type of sinkhole & the only one in the world. A sinkhole is a sign on the earths surface of an underground world of caves & streams.  The swamp is at the bottom of the sinkhole, surrounded by steep walls formed over thousands of years by dissolving Rock known as dolomite. (Ref: Forestry Tasmania)

To sit amidst the breathtaking beauty of this place while leaning against a 500 year old tree sends a bit of a chill down your spine as you ponder the possibilities & consider just how much iPhones may or may not develop in that time…

Wefies keep on keeping on.

Mum & Bub Pademelon

Crayfish Chimneys
One fresh,

One mossed over.

Sassafras Leaves
(I just love sayin, Sassafras)

Sculptures are scattered all about.

Prehistoric 6′ wombat
(Zygomaturus Trilobus)

In Tassie they really know how to make a great Boardwalk

The praying mantis are much bigger down here.

Dismal Swamp Spot

Jayne seriously planning the next day of Adventure (Or maybe just waiting on me to pour her a glass of Chardy)

02 Jan This entry was published on 02/01/2015 at 6:59 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink. Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post.